THE INDEPENDENT WARGAMES GROUP.
Being a Journal of views, prejudices,ideas and photographs of wargaming not just nationwide, but hopefully world wide.The name IWG was adopted in the early 1980's in response to the then dominant Wargames Research Group, but things have moved on,and wargaming appears to be in somewhat of a Golden Age, so sit back and hopefully enjoy my rantings.

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Friday, 10 August 2012

As I previously stated I bought some painted figures,with the intention of re painting them. Amongst the figures,were a unit painted as French SYW.
These really are good quality figures,with expressive faces,and good realistic proportions. Not to bang on too much,I like them.But I just dont recognise the figure maker.
Anyway,I have now re done one unit,bar the basing.Please ignore the officer,as he is RSM, but if anyone can identify the figures,I will give them a prize of either some unpainted SYW figures,or a painted Foundry Malburian mounted officer.
The figures are stamped on the bottom, MF1,MF2,MF3,MF4. As I have said previously they are made of soft lead,not the more modern alloy.Anyway best of luck.

1913 was the year H.G.WELLS first had published LITTLE WARS,which certainly in the USA, and by me is seen as the start of modern wargaming.
I know the Prussian's had their wargame, but Wells, book was more about fun,and the emphasis was on gaming.
Donald Featherstone carried the book right through the war. As a consequence Donald Featherstone and the small band of toy soldier misfits began creating the hobby we have now.
I call them misfits,because lets be right,playing with toy soldiers hardly ranks as 'normal behaviour' and certainly some of the group were a little bit eccentric.
Still it got me into a hobby which if I hadn't discovered would have made my life pretty empty.I would have probably taken up golf or something similar, God forbid.
Personally I think the centenary should be marked in a lot of ways, a special edition from some of the wargaming magazines, although I cant see Wargames Illustrated latching onto the concept, but I might be wrong. Certainly Battlegames with its vintage ethic,should take up the mantle of celebration.
I do hope Miniature Wargames does something to mark the 100 years.
I think,once I've spoken to John that is, that we should put on some sort of display just to give people an idea of were wargaming evolved from.
I dont think I can stretch to some Britains,and a couple of naval guns, but perhaps,some sort of visual display might be in the offing.
Anyway,just to make wargamers aware,and something to think about.

In the early 1980's through to the mid 2000's John and I would put on a game at Stockton on Tees,run by David Clemmett and his friend Tom. The proceeds went to help the disabled in the area,and it was a really well run show. The show grew from a pretty small affair,to a really decent size,but unfortunately ill health and the local council put the kibosh on the show.
Amazingly I received an e mail from David the other night announcing that they intended to plunge back into holding a wargames show.
The event is intended to slot into a quiet period for wargamers,and the proceeds this time are for the British Legion.John and I will be putting a game on.The location is the same as Smoggycon,which has itself grown into a good show. Put this in your wargames diary,and support a good cause.
The details are..............................
A Call To Muster 2013

Well with the weather finally relenting a little I braved myself to start my seasons painting. I should add that I paint in my garage cum wa...

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A Nostalgic Whim

SYW Rules.

Independent Wargames Group

Deep in Thought

Independent Wargames Group

Aim;There should always be an aim I believe even if it concerns wargaming. My aim is really to hopefully inspire people to take up a rewarding hobby ie, Wargaming.Being of a mature age I sometimes think hobbies have become redundant in the 21st century,and with the way history is taught in schools in the UK I worry that young people have little idea of the drama,colour and adventure that is history.I was lucky to be inspired as a young boy by a history teacher who loved his subject and was able to convey his enthusiasm to his pupils, from this base I discovered wargaming in the late 1960's.I have been wargaming now for over forty years,and I can honestly state my life would have been pretty dismal without this hobby which at times took over my life and certainly threatened my financial future.